Ambassadors of Polish History honoured in Warsaw

Five exceptional guardians of culture were honored with the 2026 Ambassador of Polish History Award by the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). Representing diverse nations, the recipients have spent decades ensuring that Poland's wartime struggles, Cold War resilience, and diaspora stories are never forgotten.

The 2026 Ambassador of Polish History Award honorees.

Photo: x.com/ipngovpl

At a ceremony held in Warsaw's Palace of the Commonwealth, Poland's Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) bestowed the 2026 Ambassador of Polish History Awards upon five international recipients. Hailing from Argentina, Denmark, Italy, and the United States, the honorees were celebrated for their diverse efforts in research, education, and archiving, ensuring that Polish history and the stories of its people resonate globally.

An award recognising dedication to Polish history Established initially under the name Witness of History, the distinction honours individuals and institutions whose dedication and voluntary commitment contribute to researching, preserving and promoting Poland's modern history. Since 2014, the award has also recognised people working beyond Poland's borders, including members of the Polish diaspora and individuals of other nationalities who have made outstanding contributions to preserving Polish historical memory. Addressing the laureates, IPN Deputy President Karol Polejowski emphasised the responsibility accompanying the distinction: 💬"One must have made an outstanding contribution to Polish history to receive this exceptional distinction. But this honorary title also carries an obligation to continue your work. As Ambassadors of Polish History, you are also its custodians, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting it."

— Institute of National Remembrance (@ipngovpl_eng) November 4, 2026

Addressing the laureates, IPN Deputy President Karol Polejowski pointed out that the award is an honour, but also a responsibility:

"One must have made an outstanding contribution to Polish history to receive this exceptional distinction. But this honorary title also carries an obligation to continue your work. As Ambassadors of Polish History, you are also its custodians, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting it".

This year's awardees list included:

Edward Reid (United States)

Operating in the digital sphere, Reid founded the platform PolishTruth.com to combat historical misconceptions. He uses social media and digital publishing to educate English-speaking audiences about the realities of World War II and the Polish Underground State.

Ignacy Domeyko Polish Library (Argentina)

Based in Buenos Aires, this vital cultural hub acts as a living archive for generations of Polish immigrants. By safeguarding rare books, personal papers, and photographs, the library keeps the historical memory of South America's Polish community vibrant and accessible. The award was accepted on behalf of the Library by Joanna Łuba.

Meet the 2026 Ambassadors of Polish History Ignacy Domeyko Polish Library - Buenos Aires, Argentina. An important centre of Polish culture and scholarship in South America, the Ignacy Domeyko Polish Library preserves the heritage of generations of Polish emigrants. Its collections include books, photographs and historical documents concerning the Polish community in Argentina. The institution also organises exhibitions, teaches the Polish language and publishes academic works. For many years, the Library has cooperated with the IPN on archival, exhibition and educational projects, helping preserve and promote the history of Polish emigration. The award was accepted on behalf of the Library by Joanna Łuba.

— Institute of National Remembrance (@ipngovpl_eng) November 4, 2026

Maria Radożycka (Italy)

For a quarter of a century, Radożycka has been the voice of the Polish II Corps in Italy. Based in the Ancona region, she meticulously collects eyewitness testimonies and historical artifacts, translating the heroic actions of Polish soldiers during the Italian Campaign into published Italian literature.

Professor Thomas Wegener Friis (Denmark)

As a prominent Danish historian, Professor Friis bridges the gap between Polish and global academia. Since 2011, his work co-organizing the international Need to Know conferences has elevated critical research into Cold War intelligence and espionage to an international audience.

Meet the 2026 Ambassadors of Polish History Professor Thomas Wegener Friis - Denmark A Danish historian specialising, among other subjects, in the history of intelligence and counterintelligence during the Cold War. Since 2011, Professor Friis has cooperated with the IPN in organising the international Need to Know conferences, which bring together researchers examining intelligence services, espionage and security structures during the Cold War. His academic work has strengthened international research cooperation and helped bring the findings of Polish historians to wider scholarly audiences. Maria Radożycka - Italy For 25 years, Maria Radożycka has worked to introduce Polish history to Italian audiences, with particular attention to the soldiers of the Polish II Corps who fought in the Italian Campaign during the Second World War. Through books, articles and lectures delivered in Italian, she has documented the experiences of Polish soldiers and their contribution to the liberation of Italy. She also collects eyewitness testimonies and historical memorabilia connected with Polish soldiers in the Ancona region, helping preserve a shared chapter of Polish and Italian wartime history. Edward Reid - United States of America An American promoter of Polish history and the founder of the English-language website https://t.co/W432SxVqyz. Through publications and social media, Edward Reid introduces international audiences to Poland's experiences during the Second World War, the history of the Polish Underground State and the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. His work reaches both Polish communities abroad and readers unfamiliar with Polish history, helping communicate the Polish historical perspective to a wider international audience. Videofact - International Documentary Press - United States of America Founded by Marian Faryniarz, Videofact - International Documentary Press has spent more than four decades documenting the lives of Polish communities and pro-independence émigré circles in the United States. Its remarkable archive contains approximately 5,000 hours of recordings, including eyewitness testimonies, meetings with opposition activists and events organised by Polish communities abroad. These recordings preserve personal accounts and historical experiences that might otherwise have been lost. Copies of the entire collection have been made available to the IPN, providing an important resource for historical research and archival preservation. The award was accepted on behalf of the organisation by Marzena Kruk, Director of the IPN Archives. Preserving history across generations and borders The work of this year's laureates demonstrates that preserving historical memory is not confined by national borders. Whether safeguarding the records of Polish emigrants, researching Cold War intelligence, documenting the wartime experiences of Polish soldiers or collecting testimonies from witnesses to history, each laureate contributes to a broader understanding of Poland's past. Their dedication helps ensure that Polish historical experiences remain accessible to future generations and continue to form part of international historical awareness. Congratulations to all five recipients of the 2026 Ambassador of Polish History Award! @ReidEdwardII

— Institute of National Remembrance (@ipngovpl_eng) November 4, 2026

Videofact - International Documentary Press (United States)

Established by Marian Faryniarz, this media organization spent more than 40 years filming the lives and political activism of anti-communist Polish émigrés. Their massive contribution includes donating 5,000 hours of priceless historical footage to the IPN archives. The award was accepted on behalf of the organisation by Marzena Kruk, Director of the IPN Archives.

"The work of this year's laureates demonstrates that preserving historical memory is not confined by national borders. Whether safeguarding the records of Polish emigrants, researching Cold War intelligence, documenting the wartime experiences of Polish soldiers or collecting testimonies from witnesses to history, each laureate contributes to a broader understanding of Poland's past. Their dedication helps ensure that Polish historical experiences remain accessible to future generations and continue to form part of international historical awareness".

- Poland's Institute of National Remembrance wrote in its press release.

Ambassadors of Polish History Honoured in Warsaw From preserving the heritage of Polish emigrants in Argentina to documenting the struggle for freedom during the Cold War, five laureates have been recognised for their contributions to keeping Polish history alive beyond Poland's borders. On 4 November 2026, the IPN presented its Ambassador of Polish History Awards during a ceremony held at the Palace of the Commonwealth in Warsaw. This year's recipients represent Argentina, Denmark, Italy and the United States. Their work spans historical research, archival preservation, education and public engagement, bringing Poland's history and the experiences of its people to international audiences. The ceremony was attended by IPN Deputy Presidents Karol Polejowski, Mateusz Szpytma and Krzysztof Szwagrzyk, alongside representatives of the diplomatic corps, Polish institutions and the academic community.

— Institute of National Remembrance (@ipngovpl_eng) November 4, 2026

Originally established under the Witness of History name, the Ambassador of Polish History Award celebrates individuals and organizations that voluntarily dedicate themselves to studying, protecting, and sharing Poland’s modern historical legacy.

In 2014, the scope of the honor expanded globally to recognize international contributors. Today, it honors both Polish diaspora communities and citizens of other nations who dedicate themselves to keeping the memory of Poland's past alive around the world.

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Source: IPN